EastEnders want McBusted’s Matt Willis back in Albert Square

Matt Willis is caught in a tug-of-love between McBusted and EastEnders’ bosses as he revives his career.

Matt featured in EastEnders in February as runaway Stacey’s fella Luke Riley and it seems he really impressed the bosses – because they want him back.

The band had a sell-out run at London’s O2 Arena. But The Mirror reports that the BBC’s EastEnders is also desperate to have Matt headlining in the soap.

EastEnders’ executive producer Dominic Treadwill-Collins is reportedly keen to get guitarist and former I’m A Celebrity winner Matt, 30, to sign up to the show again.

A source at EastEnders revealed: “They want Matt back but it all depends whether his current tour with McBusted clashes with the show’s filming schedule.

“There’s a storyline in mind for him already, it’s a big juicy idea.

“But he would need to be available for some time, not for just a quick stint.

“The show assumed it wouldn’t be too difficult to get him back once the McBusted tour was over.

“But it’s been a huge success, the tour was extended and the BBC’s hopes of Matt making a swift return were shot down.

“Hopefully something will get sorted because it feels like a good place for Matt to make a name for himself in British TV. And having someone with a fan base like he does would be a great addition to the cast.”

Matt, who is married to former model and host of The Voice Emma Willis, 37, has also appeared in Wicked and Footloose in the West End and played Tracey’s son Garthy in the recommissioned ITV sitcom Birds of a Feather.

He has become a really hot property since being crowned King of the Jungle in I’m A Celeb in 2006.

It’s a far cry from Matt’s troubled days following the end of Busted in 2005, which triggered stints in rehab.

He cleaned up his act before marrying Emma and becoming a proud dad to Isabelle, four, and Ace, two.

Now he is reaping the benefits and enjoying his second shot at fame.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Get the latest soap spoilers and big TV news and interviews directly to your inbox…

Please keep me up to date with special offers and news from What' s on TV and other brands operated by TI Media Limited via email. You can unsubscribe at any time.

We'd also like to send you special offers and news just by email from other carefully selected companies we think you might like. Your personal details will not be shared with those companies - we send the emails and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please tick here if you are happy to receive these messages.